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BRN-180™ Upper Receiver Group Gen2 – Reliable Piston System Made Even More Versatile
Designed in conjunction with PWS & FM Products, the Brownells BRN-180™ Complete Upper Receiver is inspired by the Armalite® AR-180 of the 1960s. Developed as a successor to the original AR-15, the AR-180 was a civilianized version of the AR-18, itself an upgrade on the M16 platform. The BRN-180™ incorporates many of the AR-18/AR-180 improvements – including its robust and reliable gas piston operating system. (Yes, the originators of the AR-15 / M16 eventually embraced a piston!)
The BRN-180™ Gen2 Upper Receiver Group improves upon the original BRN-180 with two main upgrades. First, all BRN-180™ Upper Receivers now ship with an Adjustable Gas System, previously only found on the BRN-180S™. The operating mechanism, the short stroke gas piston concept remains the same, but the user can select between two settings, depending on their conditions and ammunition, to ensure smooth and consistent function. No more spare gas piston cup to worry about. In addition to the new Adjustable Gas System, the Handguard is now retaining with a single locking screw. This large screw provides ample locking force and ensures a more consistent handguard lockup than the previous mechanism. During extended firing, and the barrel heating up, this new locking system ensures the handguard retains alignment and rigidity with the upper receiver. Also, with this new takedown mechanism, the handguard can be removed to access the gas system without removing the internal components. BRN-180™ GEN 2 COMPLETE UPPER RECEIVER ASSEMBLY FOR SALE
Like the original, the BRN-180™ bolt carrier rides smoothly on a PAIR of guide rods. The carrier is buffered at the rear by a built-in polymer buffer with a molded-in steel plate that captures the guide rods. The Nitride bolt replicates the original AR-180 bolt design, right down to its use of a standard AR-15 extractor. Buy BRN-180™ GEN 2 COMPLETE UPPER RECEIVER ASSEMBLY
Wait – we know what you’re dying to ask. Yes, the BRN-180™ upper receiver is fully compatible with any standard, mil-spec AR-15 lower receiver.
The 16″ or 18.5” barrel is machined from extra-strong 4150 carbon steel, with a hard Nitride finish that really resists surface wear. The BRN-180™ is chambered in .223 Wylde – for extra flexibility in ammo choice – with 1-8″ rifling, so it handles both .223 Remington and military-type 5.56mm NATO ammo with equal aplomb. Up front there’s a replica of the AR-180’s unusual three-prong flash hider: the hemispherical bottom prong helps prevent the muzzle blast from kicking up a dust signature when shooting prone. Standard ½-28 tpi muzzle threads let you swap on a modern AR-15 muzzle device should you be bitten by the customizing bug.
- Ultra-reliable AR-180 piston operating system
- Compatible with current mil-spec AR-15 lowers
- Machined 7075 T6 aluminum receiver & handguard – hardcoat anodized finish
- 16″ or 18.5” barrel with matte black Nitride finish
- .223 Wylde chamber
- Button rifled bore; 1-8″ twist
- ½”-28 threaded muzzle
- Replica 3-prong AR-180 flash suppressor
- Molded polymer ejection port cover
- Total weight: 4.65 lbs
2 reviews for BRN-180™ GEN 2 COMPLETE UPPER RECEIVER ASSEMBLY
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Vader65 –
BRN-180
Bought a 180S 300Blk loved it so much came back for a full size180 223 great design over bulky, noisy buffer tubes awesome with a 5 degree cant folding Lage stock Love the gen 2 great improvement with simplified adjustable gas system over carrying around extra pistons. I really wanted to use an R9 suppresor with a QD end cap but might have some trouble getting gas piston out for maintenance due to the large mounting ring on the YHM flash hider Mount looks really tight so if I can’t use my silencer with my choosen end cap that’s my downfall for this build but I have not tried or measured anything yet I will more then likely run a few hundred through first either way well worth the purchase and well worth the 5 star ! Great job brownelles also cane quick in today’s times packaged very well with nice carton .
BrownieBoy –
Pros Aesthetically Pleasing, Safe, Tough, Works With Many Guns
Cons Fitting Required
Best Uses Self Defense, Target Practice
Describe Yourself Gun Collector
Was this a gift? No
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
SO CLOSE
I just received this product, and would be lying if I said I wasn’t very excited. I have not yet shot it, and with ammo prices / availability, don’t know when I will. The anodizing was done very nicely, only saw 1 little slight imperfection. The build quality overall is very nice, with a few exceptions. I don’t mind plastic for non essential parts (grips, stocks) but really hate it in parts of the gun that are required for function… Thus my biggest complaint: the recoil guides are fused into the butt plate of the upper, this plate is made of plastic. I believe this is because this part is held on by friction, and MUST fit very tightly against the lower, and they wish to not mar the lowers finish. My opinion if that’s true, I’d like plastic coated aluminum… just cause i am picky.And yes, it is super super hard to install onto a lower, the plastic butt piece is slightly too long, and you have to use tons of force to lineup the pins on any lower (I believe to keep the gun in tight tolerances) 2nd, the dust flap is plastic, and very quickly its steel detent begins to chew into the aluminum upper. Lastly, the charging handle has a lot of play / slop, but that doesn’t really effect the function. Not really a negative, but the barrel is thin (pencil profile?). Next id like to see brownells release a folding stock for these, as currently they are not very common or affordable. Lastly, gen2 upper uses a nitride bolt, not nickel coated, just fyi. Pros: feels smooth, well finished, bolt glides well. many smart design features, you can tell it went through QA by looking at the internals, which i appreciate. I would recommend this, however, I hope some replacement parts become available to upgrade my issues, or a gen 3 addressing these.